Will Woods Reviews “Juno”

by Will Woods on Dec.30, 2007, under Will Woods' Brain

Movies in 2007 provide plenty of laughs at the expense of unintended pregnancy. June’s “Knocked Up” from Judd Apatow finds humor in the pregnancy resulting from a one night stand. December’s “Juno” brings even more fun to a situation seemingly unsuited for humor, but perhaps in most need of it, unwanted teenage pregnancy. “Juno” from first time screenwriter Diablo Cody under Jason Reitman’s (”Thank You for Smoking”) direction is hilarious and heart-warming.

Juno MacGuff played by Ellen Page, discovers her condition in the bathroom of the local drug store with a home pregnancy test. Ellen Page shows a command of comic timing and delivery far beyond her young age. Page’s smart-alecky banter with Rainn Wilson (”The Office”) in a cameo as the pharmacist sets the irreverent tone for this film. Armed with her razor wit, Juno sets out to arrange an adoption for her child with a couple she finds in the local Penny Saver, Mark and Vanessa Loring (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner).

Juno may be a wise-cracking teen, but her attitude is not simply used as comedy to cover tragedy. Her aweless behavior is part of her character, not a mask for pain. This approach is what makes “Juno” so enjoyable. She is not just a few over amplified characteristics, but a real teenage girl somewhere between acting like she knows it all and knowing she has more to learn. Diablo Cody’s gift is in showing the believable human behind the stereotype. From the geeky father of Juno’s child, Bleeker (Michael Cera), to her cheerleader best friend, Leah (Olivia Thirlby), “Juno” provides recognizable characters without completely predictable behavior.

The film’s theme of reality behind stereotype is further displayed by Juno’s parents. J.K Simmons (”Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” ) and Allison Janney (”The West Wing”) provide wonderfully human performances as father and step mother to the pregnant teen. Juno’s parents, Mac and Bren MacGuff, could easily fall into stereo typical roles of disappointed father and self centered step mother. Instead, they bring a realistic approach to two people that certainly have those qualities, but also share a common bond in their genuine love of Juno.

“Juno” is not meant to teach a lesson in teenage motherhood or provide any role models. It is not a cautionary tale or a how-to guide for parents. It is 92 minutes about how a teenage girl deals with her pregnancy with witty dialog provoking a variety of emotion, most of which is laugh out loud funny. The pleasure of “Juno” is not in making fun of teenage pregnancy, but in discovering reality through the eyes of a girl with an offbeat sense of humor.

3.5 stars